This course presents pragmatic, reflexive strategies for designing a qualitative inquiry project. We will cover elements of design that are distinct to qualitative research such as specific aims, conceptual framing, case-orientation, inductive/emergent style, and interpretive analytics. These methodological considerations will include sampling, data collection, strategies for analysis, plans for optimizing validity and human subjects protections, and writing and presenting findings.

In addition to lecture, handouts, and a suggested reference list, the course will also include an interactive session where participants will have the opportunity, as time permits, to ask questions about the design of their own projects.

This course is appropriate for graduate students and faculty in the practice disciplines (e.g., clinical psychology, education, medicine, nursing, public health, social work) as well as researchers from other fields of study (e.g., sociology, anthropology).